Green Island gun range gets long awaited approval

Todd A. Grimm, President of Grimm Building Material Company, owner of 19 Lower Hudson Avenue speaks Monday, May 20, 2013 about the special use permit to operate an indoor firearms shooting range during Village of Green Island Planning Board meeting. (J.S.Carras/The Record)

GREEN ISLAND -- Discussion regarding the indoor gun range, like spring, came in like a lion and out like a lamb with many people against the proposal in its infancy but no one spoke against it at Monday's planning board meeting, where the Veterans Gun Depot indoor range was unanimously given final approval.

The proposed 14-lane gun range at 19 Lower Hudson Avenue is expected to open in mid-July, said co-owner Todd Grimm.

"All the hurdles have been cleared. It's a relief," he said.

Soon after a local law was passed by the village in February which allowed a gun range in the community, there was a concentrated uproar from many residents - with fears ranging from stray bullets going into nearby homes to the business being too close to the school that is nearly one mile away.

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Mayor Ellen McNulty-Ryan went into the process with a cautious attitude but in the end, after multiple tours and meetings, she became an advocate of the unique business which will be one of two such gun ranges in upstate New York. Grimm said there is also one in Buffalo.

"I'm not a gun person," McNulty-Ryan said in a prior interview. "But if people have the right to bear arms, they should have a place to go where they can learn to use the guns properly and safely."

Grimm explained at the recent meeting that no one spoke against it because he had already addressed residents' concerns by talking with them individually and giving tours of the 7,500 square foot site which will house the 75-foot gun range.

No one at the well-attended meeting spoke against the proposal, first submitted earlier this year. There were about 20 people in the audience.

One resident asked if there was a village ordinance about how far away the gun range had to be from residences. McNulty-Ryan pointed out that in February the law was made more strict by making it so a gun range could not be within 140 feet of residential homes. Before that, there was no restriction.

Grimm also said during the process they have come across three main issues: Parking, pollution and noise - all of which he said have, for the most part, been addressed. He said they would not know for sure about a noise problem until the business is operational.

"We won't open until the village officials are happy with the noise coming, or not coming, from the gun range," Grimm said.

Regarding safety, cameras have been installed inside and outside the property with 8-inch concrete walls around the range. Those interested in shooting at the range would also have to fill out the proper paperwork and buy their ammunition at the site.

The planning board on Monday approved a special use permit and granted a modification in setback requirements.

Planning board chair Kristin Swinton said the project did not require any more approvals from the planning board, though another building permit needs to be filed.

The gun store on the property, which moved from the Village Plaza, has been open for a couple weeks with varying hours. The gun range is expected to be open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.